ACROSS THE NATION.

Doctor's killer gets prison term

May 10, 2003|By Items compiled from Tribune news services.

BUFFALO, NEW YORK — Anti-abortion extremist James Kopp was sentenced to 25 years to life Friday for the sniper slaying of a doctor, declaring without a trace of remorse: "I wish I could do 10 life sentences or 10 death penalties" to save the unborn.

Kopp, 48, received the maximum term for the 1998 murder of Dr. Barnett Slepian, 52, an obstetrician-gynecologist and father of four who was cut down by a bullet that came through his kitchen window.

Kopp, a militant known in anti-abortion circles as "Atomic Dog," told the judge he did not intend to kill Slepian, but would do it again.

"Why should the safety of Dr. Slepian be put over the safety of unborn children?" he asked in a packed courtroom that included a few supporters.

Kopp was convicted by the judge in March in an unusual one-day trial after waiving his right to have a jury decide his fate.

Defense attorneys argued that Kopp meant only to wound the doctor. But prosecutors countered that his choice of weapon -- a Russian-made, scope-equipped assault rifle -- and his use of aliases in buying it pointed to an intent to kill.